What should i do if my back tooth cracks and aches?!

What should i do if my back tooth cracks and aches?

This happened to me a few years ago, so I know from personal experience what you are going through. It aches!

You will need to get in to see a dentist as soon as possible!

You may need a root canal if the area in and around the tooth is very sensitive to hot and cold. (Especially cold). You will most likely need a crown. Hopefully the tooth is not too badly cracked and it can be saved (by placing a crown over it). The root canal (if the dentist feels that it's needed), is done first by either your dentist or an oral surgeon (dental specialist).

Then after that, your regular dentist will fit you for the crown and begin the procedure to have the crown constructed (to fit over your existing tooth) and try and match the color as close as possible. He places a temporary crown over the existing cracked tooth to alleviate the pain. The new crown takes about 10 days-2 weeks to be made.

You may be lucky, cost wise, and just need the crown done. That's not a painful procedure. The root canal is an uncomfortable procedure, but the specialist will administer Novocaine.

Your other option is to have the rest of the tooth extracted. If the densitst feels the cracked tooth cannot be saved, he will go over all of your options. If you don't need a root canal, then the pain should subside after the cracked tooth is removed. Most dentists prefer to try and save the tooth. But, usually the pain you are experiencing is from the roots of the tooth being exposed and sensitive to hot and cold elements that you drink or eat. So, watch drinking anything too cold! And don't eat ice cream!

In the meantime for the pain, I took Advil every 8 hours for the pain. A soon as the Advil wore off though, the pain came back. Advil worked for me until I could get in to see the dentist. Just don't overdose on it! Otherwise, the dentist would have to prescribe a stronger pain pill for you.

Once the root canal is done, (again, if needed), or a temporary crown put in place, the pain is gone, (while you wait for the permanent crown) (Thank goodness!)

You're going to get another toothache though, when the dentist tells you how much it will all cost. It's not cheap. I had dental insurance at the time, and it still cost me a fair amount of money for my share of the costs. The root canal, for instance, was $450.00 each (I needed two) for my share. The crowns (I needed three) were $350.00 each for my share. This will give you an idea. Hopefully you have dental insurance. If not, most dentists will work with you with payments, because you don't go in for all the work at at one time.

I hope I have helped you. I really feel for your pain. Take care and good luck to you.